The Origin of the Pioneer Team

As time passed, the rumor that those who left never returned spread across every state. People weren't fools—no one was willing to throw away their life for some illusory wealth.

The number of volunteers dwindled until, at last, there were none at all. The Federal Government had no choice but to change its strategy.

Train their own, then.

They would cultivate a batch of personnel whose sole duty was to venture into the Threshold and explore.

Born for the Threshold, they would never fear its horrors.

And so the Pioneer Team came into being.

Pioneers were personally trained by the Federal Government. They had to possess not only exceptional combat ability and wilderness survival skills, but also a high level of knowledge—knowing everything from the heavens above to the earth below. They were, in every sense, polymaths.

The effort was not in vain. After the first generation of Pioneers officially began their mission, the survival rate for Threshold exploration rose dramatically.

Comprehensive information about the Threshold streamed back continuously, and technicians gradually constructed an initial model of the Threshold based on that data.

But the Ruler magnates were far from satisfied.

The pace was still too slow.

At this rate, it would take at least several more decades to thoroughly map out the Threshold.

The Rulers couldn't wait. They intensified the training of Pioneers and split those already in service into two groups, sending them in staggered rotations.

On the very day the Threshold opened, while one group emerged battered and weary, another had to muster their courage and head in.

Yet even this fell short of the Rulers' ambitions.

They were itching to conquer the Threshold.

It was then that the second Threshold descended.

Much as she hated to admit it, Tu Ran had to concede that the Federal Government was incredibly lucky.

Two Thresholds: one at the Federation's political center, densely populated, could serve merely as the entry point for Pioneer exploration; the other, far away in Regaken State, sparsely populated, could be turned into a massive trap—garrisoned with troops to capture alien creatures and conduct comprehensive research.

"The arrival of the second Threshold is not good news for the Pioneer Team."

Tu Ran keenly caught the nuance: the officer had said it wasn't good news for the 'Pioneer Team'—not for the 'Federal Government.' It was clear he too understood that the second Threshold's arrival was a gift from heaven to the Federation's magnate leaders.

"Those seventeen alien creatures have already claimed the lives of many citizens in Regaken State. Because they can possess the bodies of local residents, the Regaken State security forces have been unable to catch them. And throughout the entire Federation, no one understands alien creatures better than you all. So, after a unanimous decision by the higher-ups, the Pioneer Team must dispatch one hundred members to Regaken State, where, with the assistance of the advance force, you will bring these seventeen aliens under control."

The young officer swept his gaze across the meeting room once more. "Compared to venturing into the Threshold, this operation carries far less risk. But it will take at least half a month, which means everyone may miss the Threshold's next opening—and lose a chance to accumulate points. Therefore, participation is voluntary."

The moment he finished speaking, Tu Ran's communicator buzzed. Everyone in the room felt theirs vibrate in unison.

She looked down. The communicator projected a glowing screen, displaying two options: 'YES' and 'NO.'

Without overthinking it, Tu Ran selected 'YES.'

Obviously—she was going.

Points weren't worth more than her life.

Going to the Threshold meant fighting alone. Going to Regaken State meant having the military at your back. Their job as Pioneers, after all, was mainly just to identify who was still human and who had already been possessed by an alien creature.